Born of Moonlight

Aurelia, the protagonist, is created from the heart of the God of Life, Aurelius, and the moon's womb, destined to be the Goddess of Life. Her existence is both miraculous and tragic: she is made to be a consort and mother, but from the start, her agency is limited. She is never truly queen, always a princess, and her worth is measured by her ability to produce heirs. Her creation is a political act, a symbol of hope and renewal, but also a pawn in the gods' ongoing power struggles. The narrative establishes her as both powerful and powerless, setting the stage for her journey of self-discovery and rebellion.

Cursed by Death's Hand

The God of Death, ruler of the Old Gods, curses Aurelia, stripping her of her ability to create life. This act is both personal and political: it is revenge for losing his realms to Aurelius, and a way to undermine the new order. The curse is a violation, leaving Aurelia barren and unable to fulfill her "divine" role. Her marriage to Aurelius, already fraught with inequality, begins to fracture. The curse is a metaphor for the ways in which women's bodies and destinies are controlled by patriarchal powers, and it sets Aurelia on a path of suffering, resilience, and eventual rebellion.

Orchards of Sorrow

In her agony, Aurelia bargains with Death for relief, receiving apple seeds to plant in exchange for temporary respite from her fever. These seeds, planted outside her marital bedchamber, grow into a vast orchard—a living reminder of her failure to bear children, and a subtle act of defiance against Aurelius. The orchard becomes a symbol of her pain, her endurance, and her complex relationship with Death. As the trees flourish, her marriage withers, and Aurelia's sense of self erodes, but the seeds of her future resistance are sown.

War and Betrayal

The God of Death wages war to reclaim his lost realms. Aurelia and Aurelius fight together, but their side loses. The New Gods are enslaved, and Aurelia is the last to be captured. In a final act of defiance, she wounds Death, discovering he can bleed—a revelation that changes everything. Death ends the war, not out of mercy, but because Aurelia is the only thing that can kill him. He offers a deal: Aurelius's freedom and the return of the realms in exchange for Aurelia as his bride. Betrayed by Aurelius, who plans to use her orchard to burn demi-gods, Aurelia finally finds her voice and leaves him, seeking Death's protection.

The Endless Mist

Aurelia helps the demi-gods escape to Edenvale, a hidden continent protected by a magical barrier—the Endless Mist—created with Death's power. This act is both a rescue and a declaration of independence. Aurelia uses her cunning to outmaneuver Aurelius, stealing his gold to fund the escape. The journey is perilous, but it marks the beginning of her transformation from victim to leader. The Endless Mist becomes a symbol of hope and sanctuary for the oppressed, and a barrier against her past.

Flight to Freedom

On the ship to Edenvale, Aurelia meets Ezravaynia (Ezra), the enigmatic Goddess of Free Will, who challenges her to consider what it means to care for others and to choose her own path. Aurelia's seasickness and vulnerability are juxtaposed with her growing sense of responsibility and empathy. Ezra's presence hints at deeper cosmic forces at play, and Aurelia's encounter with her is a catalyst for further self-examination and growth.

The God of Death's Bargain

Death, revealed as Von, is both captor and would-be lover. His obsession with Aurelia is dark, possessive, and complicated by their shared history. He offers her protection and power, but at the cost of her freedom. Their relationship is fraught with tension, desire, and the ever-present threat of violence. Von's willingness to bargain, to bleed, and to share power with Aurelia marks him as both villain and potential partner. The dynamic between them is a dance of dominance, submission, and mutual fascination.

Chains and Choices

Aurelia is torn between her past with Aurelius and her uncertain future with Von. She seeks help from Ezra to break her deal with Death, but learns that some bargains cannot be undone. Instead, she is offered tools to manage the consequences—salves for pain, advice for survival. Aurelia's journey becomes one of learning to assert her will, to find pleasure and meaning on her own terms, and to navigate the treacherous politics of gods and immortals.

The Goddess of Free Will

Ezra becomes a mentor and friend, teaching Aurelia about pleasure, agency, and the importance of living for oneself. Through their interactions, Aurelia begins to reclaim her body, her desires, and her right to choose. The narrative explores themes of female solidarity, healing from abuse, and the slow, painful process of learning to trust again. Ezra's wisdom and mischief are a counterpoint to the darkness of Aurelia's past, offering hope and possibility.

The Bond Forged

Aurelia and Von's relationship reaches a turning point as they consummate their bond, unleashing powerful magic and forging a connection that is both physical and spiritual. The bond is intoxicating, overwhelming, and fraught with questions of consent and destiny. Aurelia grapples with the loss of control, the intensity of her desires, and the implications of being bound to a god who has both hurt and healed her. The narrative delves into the complexities of love, power, and the ways in which trauma shapes intimacy.

Shadows and Secrets

As Aurelia adapts to life in the Spirit Realm, she navigates the treacherous politics of Von's court. Saphira, Von's sister, becomes a formidable antagonist, orchestrating a coup and betraying her brother. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, ambition, and the ways in which old wounds fester and drive people to desperate acts. Aurelia's growing power and influence make her both a target and a force to be reckoned with.

The Price of Power

The cost of power becomes painfully clear as Aurelia and Von face betrayal from within and without. Saphira's rebellion leads to her brutal punishment and exile, a reminder that even gods are not immune to suffering. Aurelia's journey is marked by moments of triumph and heartbreak, as she learns that every choice has consequences, and that true freedom often comes at a steep price.

Healing and Hunger

In the aftermath of trauma, Aurelia finds solace in friendship, creation, and the simple pleasures of life. She heals old wounds, both physical and emotional, and begins to imagine a future beyond survival. The narrative emphasizes the importance of community, the power of creation, and the ways in which love—romantic, platonic, and self-love—can be a source of strength and renewal.

Sins of the Past

Secrets from the past come to light, threatening to unravel the fragile peace Aurelia and Von have built. Von's manipulations and betrayals are exposed, forcing Aurelia to confront the ways in which she has been used and deceived. The narrative grapples with questions of trust, redemption, and whether it is possible to truly forgive those who have hurt us. The bond between Aurelia and Von is tested, and both must reckon with the shadows of their histories.

The Coup of War

Saphira's coup is crushed, and Von is forced to make an example of her, stripping her of her wings and exiling her. The scene is brutal, a reminder of the harsh realities of power and the costs of defiance. The narrative does not shy away from the violence and pain inherent in the gods' world, but it also explores the possibility of change, growth, and the hope that even the most broken relationships can be healed.

Loss and Rebirth

Tragedy strikes when Aurelia is kidnapped and killed, her life linked to Aurelius's. Von is left to mourn, his grief raw and unending. Yet, in the midst of loss, there is the promise of rebirth: Aurelia's soul will return, free to live a new life on her own terms. The narrative comes full circle, emphasizing the cyclical nature of existence, the inevitability of change, and the enduring power of love.

The Wedding and the Wound

Aurelia and Von's wedding is a moment of triumph and celebration, a testament to their hard-won love. Yet, even as they prepare to welcome a child, darkness looms. Betrayal and violence shatter their happiness, and Aurelia's death is both an ending and a beginning. The wedding becomes a symbol of hope, resilience, and the bittersweet nature of life.

Love Beyond Death

In the aftermath of loss, Von is left to grieve, but also to hope. He is counseled to let Aurelia's soul be reborn, to give her the freedom she was denied in life. The narrative ends on a note of longing and possibility: love endures beyond death, and the promise of reunion is woven into the fabric of the universe. The story is both a tragedy and a love letter to resilience, agency, and the power of choosing one's own destiny.

Characters

Aurelia / Sage

Aurelia, later choosing the name Sage, is the Goddess of Life, created to be a consort and mother but denied agency and respect. Her journey is one of suffering, endurance, and ultimately, self-empowerment. Cursed by Death, betrayed by her husband Aurelius, and manipulated by those around her, she is forced to confront the limits of her power and the depths of her pain. Through friendship, love, and hard-won self-knowledge, she reclaims her voice, her desires, and her right to choose. Her transformation from victim to leader is marked by moments of vulnerability, courage, and defiance. Her relationships—with Von, Ezra, and others—are complex, shaped by trauma, longing, and the search for meaning. Her death and promised rebirth underscore the cyclical nature of her journey and the enduring power of hope.

Von / Draevon / God of Death

Von is the God of Death, a being of immense power, darkness, and complexity. He is both villain and savior, captor and lover. His obsession with Aurelia is rooted in both desire and vulnerability—she is the only thing that can kill him, and the only one who can make him bleed. His journey is one of learning to balance dominance with tenderness, control with surrender. He is haunted by his past, his family, and his own capacity for violence. Through his relationship with Aurelia, he is forced to confront his own flaws, to seek redemption, and to learn the true meaning of love. His grief at her loss is profound, but his willingness to let her go is a testament to his growth.

Aurelius

Aurelius is the God of Life, Aurelia's creator and husband. He is a figure of authority, tradition, and patriarchy—demanding obedience, denying agency, and measuring worth by utility. His inability to love Aurelia as an equal, his willingness to use her orchard for violence, and his ultimate downfall are all products of his rigid worldview. He is both victim and perpetrator, shaped by the expectations of his role and the limitations of his imagination. His death is both a consequence of his actions and a catalyst for Aurelia's final transformation.

Saphira

Saphira, the Goddess of War and Von's sister, is a formidable antagonist. Driven by loss, jealousy, and a sense of betrayal, she orchestrates a coup against Von, seeking to reclaim power and avenge her own pain. Her actions are both ruthless and tragic, rooted in old wounds and unfulfilled desires. Her punishment—exile and the loss of her wings—is a stark reminder of the costs of ambition and the limits of mercy. Her relationship with Von is fraught, marked by love, rivalry, and the scars of shared history.

Ezravaynia (Ezra)

Ezra, the Goddess of Free Will, is a guide, friend, and catalyst for Aurelia's transformation. She embodies agency, choice, and the power of living on one's own terms. Her wisdom, humor, and compassion are a balm for Aurelia's wounds, and her interventions are often the turning point in moments of crisis. She represents the possibility of healing, the importance of female solidarity, and the enduring value of hope.

Dameon

Dameon, the God of Protection, is a steadfast ally to Von and Aurelia. His relationship with Zahra is a model of mutual respect, support, and love. He is a warrior, but also a nurturer, embodying the best qualities of strength and vulnerability. His presence in the narrative is a reminder that not all men are threats, and that true partnership is possible.

Zahra

Zahra, the Goddess of Companionship, is a source of comfort, wisdom, and support for Aurelia. Her own history of abuse and healing mirrors Aurelia's journey, and her friendship is a lifeline in moments of despair. She is nurturing, strong, and unafraid to speak truth to power. Her pregnancy and family life are symbols of hope and renewal.

Nicholas

Nicholas, Aurelius's brother, is a schemer and opportunist, willing to betray and kill to achieve his goals. His actions—kidnapping and ultimately killing Aurelia—are the final blow in a long chain of betrayals. He is a reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition, the corrosive effects of envy, and the ways in which power corrupts.

Arkyn

Arkyn, a demi-god and Aurelia's old friend, is caught between loyalty to Aurelius and concern for Aurelia. His inability to fully support her, his attempts to broker peace, and his ultimate impotence in the face of greater powers make him a tragic figure. He represents the limits of good intentions and the pain of divided loyalties.

Folkoln

Folkoln, Von's brother and the God of Chaos, is a source of mischief, unpredictability, and occasional wisdom. His taverns, his irreverence, and his willingness to challenge authority provide both levity and insight. He is a reminder that chaos can be both destructive and creative, and that family bonds are both a source of strength and strife.

Plot Devices

Duality of Life and Death

The central plot device is the inextricable link between life and death, embodied in Aurelia and Von. Their relationship is both literal and symbolic: they are each other's weakness and strength, their fates bound by prophecy, magic, and the cycles of creation and destruction. This duality is explored through their bond, their conflicts, and their ultimate separation and promised reunion.

Curses and Bargains

Curses, bargains, and deals are recurring motifs, representing the ways in which power is wielded, consent is manipulated, and agency is both granted and denied. Aurelia's curse, her bargains with Death, and the unbreakable deals that shape her fate are all metaphors for the constraints placed on women, the struggle for autonomy, and the price of freedom.

The Bond

The mating bond between Aurelia and Von is both a source of power and a site of conflict. It amplifies desire, blurs boundaries, and raises questions about consent, destiny, and the nature of love. The bond is a plot device that drives the narrative forward, complicates relationships, and ultimately becomes a means of healing and transformation.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

Prophecies, visions, and foreshadowing are woven throughout the narrative, creating a sense of inevitability and tension. The prophecy that Aurelia's life is linked to the one she is destined to kill, the hints of her eventual death and rebirth, and the recurring motifs of cycles and returns all serve to build suspense and deepen the emotional impact of the story.

Narrative Structure

The story is told through alternating perspectives, primarily Aurelia/Sage and Von, with interludes from other key characters. This structure allows for deep psychological insight, the exploration of multiple viewpoints, and the gradual revelation of secrets and motivations. The use of flashbacks, dreams, and visions adds layers of meaning and complexity.

Analysis

Between the Moon & Her Night is a dark, lush, and emotionally charged fantasy romance that interrogates the nature of power, agency, and love in a world ruled by gods and haunted by trauma. At its core, the novel is about a woman's journey from object to subject, from pawn to player, as she learns to reclaim her voice, her desires, and her destiny. The story does not shy away from the realities of abuse, manipulation, and the long, painful process of healing. Instead, it offers a nuanced exploration of consent, the complexities of intimacy, and the ways in which love can be both a source of pain and a path to redemption. The relationship between Aurelia/Sage and Von is fraught, passionate, and transformative, challenging traditional notions of romance and power. The novel's use of mythic archetypes, rich symbolism, and layered narrative structure invites readers to reflect on the cycles of life and death, the costs of freedom, and the enduring hope that, even in the face of loss, love can be reborn. In a modern context, the book resonates as a meditation on trauma, resilience, and the radical act of choosing oneself.

Last updated: May 19, 2025